MastaStan

Probably animal based glues. You can buy longer setting epoxies that buy you more time to work with....for instance 90min ones. I use these sometimes if I need a bit more time fitting together. 5mins is not always suitable lol. I've never really found shelf life a problem I use so much it never hangs around. Buy smaller tubes?!? I'm not entirely sure what else you could use. Maybe try a few hidden tangs out with no glue.

Yeah you might be right my shop is not amazingly lit. Anyway, I hope it helped you. Don't think you've been conned lol.

Yes try that, I tried the 01 and some 1095. The 01 had short fat orange sparks, the 1095 had, as you said, long branched orange sparks. (Didn't get a pic of that)

Piece of 01 on my grinder just now. Orange sparks. Hope this helps. They are a bit thicker and shorter than normal hc (after testing a bit) but not red, in my opinion. And not branching

Benton summed it up better than I could put it. Loved looking at this. Great stuff! Can't decide whether I like the drop point or tanto best, both really nice.

Nice work! Love the wrapping.

Good work. Not entirely my cup of tea. The handle looks a bit far forward on to the blade.

My very humble opinion... The amount of time you've taken making the Damascus, forging the blade and getting it ready for a handle was well spent. It was set to be a lovely looking knife. But by rushing the handle you've really spoiled it. You should have had it 'dry fitted' and if you weren't happy with it, just left it until you had time to fix or redo the offending part. Everything is a learning curve though, I have plenty of little things I wish I woulda/shoulda/coulda done.... I understand your restraints with regards to family life. I have the same thing too. All the best.

Lovely looking blade Will, well done. Wrapping looks very neat and tidy. Samurai esque handle and hunter blade I like it!

Great job. That's a nice knife, first attempt or not! My eye was also drawn to that front pin. Looks very close to the front of the scales. Although its a little hard to see, that spotlight is shining right on that part of the knife. Good work!

Where about in the UK are you? I may have some ceramic blanket you could have....

I second that! So clean.

I spent a fair few hours on my anvil today and after an hour my back was killing me. (I do suffer with a bad back from years of building & labouring work) Ended up putting my weightlifting belt on. Back was fine from then on! Next time I shall be putting the belt on straight away.

Wow, I didn't see this, I was away on holiday. I really like the look of the knife its a beauty. I've always liked fillet knives, being a keen fisherman/hunter. Still haven't taken the plunge to make one. The 'bronze' fittings are real nice, very intricate. Must have taken a while. Really nice finish. The handle is like an acrylic version of spalted wood. Like how both sides are different. One side looks almost like marble. I know from my last two knives how awkward it can be getting the guard flush. Lots of filing and looking at it with one eye lol. Love it , well done!

Really interesting thread. Hope you achieve your goal. Best of luck.

Thank you very much Nate. I'm a bit of a sucker for spalted wood.

Really nice creation D.IVO! You can definitely tell that a lot if work has gone in to it. Really like the blade and the engraving is a great touch. The guard goes well with the blade and the spacers and the pau santo in handle offset the oak well! Sheath looks great. Suits well. My only dislike is the markings on the oak handle. I don't think it fits. Just my opinion. Really amazing, thanks for sharing.

I've found that too. I learned pretty quickly to always clean blades up perfectly post quenching/pre tempering And to have them to the same grit every time. That's if you want them nice an' shiny lol.

Awesome, thank you so much for your kind comment. I still have a lot to learn!

Thank you very much, that means a lot to me. Yes, been trying out lots of styles I told you I'd have to do a puukko after seeing yours! Thank you very much, yes the sheath is a the forefront of my mind. I'll have to look into it first!!

Thank you, yes its threaded on then peined over.

This my first attempt at a puukko. Heat treated 01 steel blade, 5mm and 5inches long. Overall length 10inches. Walnut and stabilized spalted beech handle with 3mm stainless guard and cap. 1.5mm stainless spacers. Critique welcome. Thank you for taking a peek.

That sounds like me ...no friends apart from wife, kids, parents lol. That's why its important to be on here with loads of people who actually know what you're talking about!!!

Very nice, I really like it! Good job!

Thanks Glenn, no, definitely no unsuitable footwear allowed. I've ordered some genuine leather work boots, gloves and apron in his size. To be fair to myself though....on the day he was wearing cotton joggers/hoodie, leather football boots and Kevlar gloves(albeit a tad big for him) And didn't forget the specs! Didn't do too bad